Jiang Nian walked back all smiles, the image of Huo Fan’s mortified face—like he had swallowed a fly—still vivid in her mind. She was so delighted she waved her hands and feet in glee: “Lian Zhi, did you see? Huo Fan’s face turned green, then white, then purple—like a magic trick!”
“And more, more! He doesn’t even realize his own worth, yet he dared to provoke Zhang Yu. I can’t imagine how those noble sons will laugh at him once they return. Tell me, Huo Fan has disgraced the Huo family so badly—will the old General Huo throw him out of the clan? Will he end up a beggar? Lian Zhi, when we’re outside the palace, we must be careful not to get entangled with this beggar Huo Fan!”
Her eyes sparkled with laughter, her whole figure bouncing in the sunset, utterly carefree.
Seeing her mistress so happy, Lian Zhi was happy too. She had long disliked Young Master Huo—always relying on the consort, yet pretending to be upright and unyielding before power. He would hint through Yu Yang for help, then act as if Jiang Nian had forced her aid upon him.
Their scheming methods might not be noble, but letting Huo Fan suffer a setback, learn a lesson, and stop belittling her mistress was still a good thing.
“Yes, this servant will protect Your Ladyship. I won’t let Young Master Huo trouble you again.”
Jiang Nian nodded with a smile. By chance, she glanced at Chun Sheng, who eagerly added: “Rest assured, Your Ladyship. I won’t let that man so much as touch you.”
Jiang Nian paused, surprised at Chun Sheng’s perceptiveness, and her smile deepened.
They chatted along the way, and by the time they returned to the camp, night had fallen. Jiang Nian lifted the curtain with guilty caution, peeking inside.
The candle burned quietly. No one was there.
Her brows relaxed, relief washing over her. She tiptoed forward, instructing Rong Chengguang to speak well of her when His Majesty returned. If she were caught again, all her efforts would be wasted.
Thankfully, thankfully. She patted her chest, humming cheerfully.
Inside were several chests, filled with tribute—jewels, herbs, nothing novel. She opened a few, bored, until she discovered a white fox nestled inside one.
Startled, the fox curled into a ball, only its eyes peeking out, wary and watchful.
Beautiful. Its fur was finer than her most precious cloak. Perfect for His Majesty Qi Yi as a gift.
But her smile faded. She recalled Qi Yi’s cold expression when he left at dawn.
She laughed at herself, a dull ache in her chest.
At the grand hunt, so many consorts were present. This fox might not be meant for her—it could be for another favored consort. Rumor said Qi Yi dearly loved Consort Xu. Perhaps this fox was for her? Her chest grew heavy, her eyes stung. She turned away, unwilling to look further.
Just then, she bumped into Rong Chengguang.
“Greetings, Consort Jiang.”
Jiang Nian choked slightly: “You’re back. Has His Majesty not returned yet?”
Rong Chengguang replied: “Tonight is the victory banquet. His Majesty is already there. I just finished delivering the gifts His Majesty bestowed upon the consorts and returned.”
So that was it.
Jiang Nian murmured, then suddenly lifted her head, voice trembling with excitement: “All the gifts have been delivered?”
Rong Chengguang looked puzzled: “Yes, all delivered. Did Your Ladyship not see?”
The white fox—it was hers.
Qi Yi had remembered her words.
The gloom vanished in an instant. Jiang Nian’s eyes curved with joy. She hurried to reopen the chest, pointing at the fox: “You’re mine.”
Rong Chengguang soothed Consort Jiang and then withdrew, summoning Lianzhi to accompany her.
Chun Sheng, proud of how well he had served Consort Jiang, hurried forward when his master appeared: “Master, today, before Consort Jiang, I did not shame you. She even praised me for handling matters well!”
Indeed, he had done well. When His Majesty noticed him, he even asked who he was. Rong Chengguang knew this meant His Majesty was pleased, so he spoke a few kind words on Chun Sheng’s behalf. But now, seeing his foolish disciple grinning like a simpleton, Rong Chengguang felt embarrassed: “Enough, enough. Give you a little color and you think you can open a whole dye workshop. Hurry and attend properly to Consort Jiang.”
“Yes, understood.” Chun Sheng wisely stopped, tucked away his smile, and stood solemnly at the tent entrance.
Rong Chengguang muttered “idiot” under his breath, but left with a smile.
Birdsong and laughter filled the air, wine cups clinked across the tables. Because the consorts missed their families, tonight’s victory banquet invited their relatives, making the atmosphere lively and cheerful. Yet amid the merriment, one figure stood out—Xu Wanqing. Her face was cold as she drank cup after cup.
Noticing her mistress’s displeasure, Xia Wei leaned forward to ask: “Your Ladyship, what troubles you?”
Swallowing the last mouthful of strong liquor, Xu Wanqing gripped her cup, her voice tinged with grievance: “Since entering the palace, His Majesty has never neglected me as he did today. Has he truly grown weary of me?”
The hunting ground incident had spread widely, and Xia Wei had heard the palace servants whispering. She quickly softened her tone: “Do not worry, my lady. I asked around—none of the consorts received that white fox.”
Xu Wanqing’s expression eased slightly, though she remained dissatisfied: “And what of it? His Majesty still did not bestow it upon me.”
Xia Wei chuckled gently, explaining: “My lady, you know His Majesty is always fair to the consorts. He fears the court officials will seize upon favoritism. Within the palace, it is fine if he shows you preference, but outside, if he openly favors you above even the Empress, it would be improper.”
“Besides, His Majesty summoned General Xu. That hardly suggests he is displeased with you.”
Xu Wanqing’s eyes flickered, unable to hide her delight: “Father is here?”
Xia Wei: “Yes, I just heard from Eunuch Rong.”
Her father truly should have come to see her first, but no matter—she could now go to His Majesty and ask directly.
Xu Wanqing rose abruptly, asking: “Where are His Majesty and Father now?”
Xia Wei faltered: “That… I do not know. Eunuch Rong only said General Xu was with His Majesty.”
Xu Wanqing thought for a moment, then declared: “They must be in His Majesty’s tent. Come.” Carrying both joy and resentment, she strode quickly. Reaching the imperial tent, she ignored propriety and lifted the curtain. “Your Majesty!”
The woman seated upon the dragon throne startled, raising her eyes to meet Xu Wanqing’s.
Xu Wanqing’s gaze fell upon the palace maid’s attire and the white fox in her arms. Her face tightened as she shouted: “Impudent wretch! Not only do you sit upon the dragon throne, but you also dare to steal! Guards, drag this slut out and beat her to death!”
The guards, bewildered by the unexpected maid inside the Emperor’s tent, hesitated. Xu Wanqing barked again: “Are you all dead? Do you not understand my command?”
Recognizing her as Consort Xu, the captain dared not offend her and signaled his men forward.
Lian Zhi, fearing the guards might harm her mistress, stepped protectively in front: “No! This was bestowed by His Majesty. We did not steal.” Her words rang firm, and the guards faltered, uncertain.
Xu Wanqing sneered: “She is but a lowly maid. How could His Majesty possibly gift her a white fox?”
“As for you—” Xu Wanqing pointed at Lianzhi, “You dare defy me, insult me. Xia Wei, slap her at once.”
“Yes.” Xia Wei rolled up her sleeves, raising her hand.
Just as the slap was about to fall, a sharp female voice rang out: “Presumptuous!”